ISSN (Print) : 2320 3765

ISSN (Online): 2278 8875

International Journal of Advanced Research in Electrical, Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering

Vol. 2, Issue 5, May 2013

Simulation and Design of Wearable Antenna

for Telemedicine Application
Sonia C. Survase1, Prof.Vidya V.Deshmukh2
PG Student, Dept.of Electronics and Telecommunication, AISSMS C.O.E., Pune University, India1
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Electronics, AISSMS C.O.E., Pune University, India2
Abstract: Telemedicine is the use of telecommunications technology as a medium to provide live, interactive
audiovisual medical services for sites that are at a distance from the provider. Telemedicine and related healthcare
technologies aim to provide efficient healthcare remotely. The objective of this paper is to provide a better solution for
telemedicine application. Various wireless technologies are used, but wearable antenna is the best solution. In this
paper wearable antenna is designed. The design consist of microstrip yagi patch antenna. This antenna is simulated on
High frequency structure simulation(HFSS). This simulation gives improved return loss, low front to back ratio.
Keywords: Yagi patch antenna, wearable antenna, data acquisition hardware, gap coupled antenna, Electrotextile
antenna, MIMO.
I.INTRODUCTION

Telemedicine means literally medicine at a distance. New technologies in sensing, medical imaging and wireless data
communications are allowing telemedicine to provide healthcare at a distance with much lower cost than in the past,
enabling the development of new widespread remote medicine initiatives[5].Researches categorize the telemedicine
history into three eras[3].The first era can be named as telecommunications era of the 1970s. Applications in this era
were dependent on broadcast and television technologies where telemedicine application was not integrated with any
other clinical data. The second era of telemedicine, dedicated era, started during the late 1980s as a result of
digitalization in telecommunications and it grew during 1990s The transmission of data was supported by various
communication mediums ranging from telephone lines to Integrated Service Digital Network (ISDN) lines[6].The high
costs attached to the communication mediums that can provide higher bandwidth became an important bottleneck for
telemedicine. Dedicated era has turned into an Internet era where more complex networks are supporting the
telemedicine. The third era of telemedicine is supported by the technology that is cheaper and accessible to an
increasing user population. The enhanced speed and quality offered by Internet or3G mobile telephony is providing
new opportunities in telemedicine. Certain recent research projects include the use of satellite-based Telemedicine
solutions. Satellite-based telemedicine services are used to solve teleconsultation, tele-education, home care, second
opinion and other medical problems[7].
There are many challenges in wireless monitoring of patients, including the coverage, reliability and quality of
monitoring. The work done in patient monitoring includes home monitoring wireless telemetry system for EEG
epilepsy Bluetooth-based system for digitized ECGs a hospital-wide mobile monitoring system mobile telemedicine
and, real-time home monitoring of patients[5]. One of the most difficult challenges in patient monitoring using
wireless networks, especially for emergency messages, is the reliability of message delivery[6].Many hospitals and
nursing homes are deploying infrastructure-oriented wireless networks, such as wireless LANs, satellites, and cellular
and GSM in telemedicine systems range from simple heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature to blood glucose
levels and ECG wave forms. To overcome the coverage problems a reliable low profile antenna is required for best
performance
The structure of this paper is as follows. In section 2 wireless technology for telemedicine are introduced ,followed
by section 3physiological parameter 4 challenges for conventional sensor .In section 5wearable technology is
introduced ,section 6 gives conclusion.
II. WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY
Wireless adoption in the healthcare industry is high and is expected to grow even further. The new wireless broadband
technologies enabled creation of telemedicine services previously only possible via cable connections. Advanced
medical services can be provided to rural areas or areas stricken with disasters otherwise unreachable by cable
connections, very quickly and with fraction of the previous cost. Wireless telemedicine is especially suitable for areas
lacking proper cable connections or places where installing cable links is difficult, economically unavailable or simply
impossible.
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ISSN (Print) : 2320 3765

ISSN (Online): 2278 8875

International Journal of Advanced Research in Electrical, Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering

Vol. 2, Issue 5, May 2013

Following table shows overview of different technologies for telemedicine.

Table1. Different wireless technologies for telemedicine
Type
Sub-type
Frequency band
Data transfer rate
GSM

GPRS
Wireless LAN

Satellite

GSM-900
GSM-1800
GSM-1900
GPRS
IEEE 802.11a
IEEE 802.11b
Hiperlan1
Hiperlan2
Bluetooth
ICO
Globalstar

900MHZ
1800MHZ
1900MHZ
900/1800/1900MHZ
5GHz
2.4GHz
5GHz
5GHz
2.4GHz
C,S band
L,S,C band

9.6-43.3 kbps
9.6-43.3 kbps
9.6-43.3 kbps
171.2kbps
20Mbps
11Mbps
20Mbps
54Mbps
723.2Mbps
2.4kbps
7.2kbps

Iridium
Cyberstar
Celestri

L,Ka band
Ku,Ka band
Ka band
and 40-50GHz
Ka band
Ku band

2.4kbps
400kbps-30Mbps
155Mbps

Teledesic
Skybridge

16kbps-64Mbps
16kbps-2Mbps

III.PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETER
The physiological parameters that are monitored are Electrocardiogram (ECG), heart rate derived from ECG signals by
determining the R-R intervals, blood pressure, body temperature, Galvanic Skin Response (GSR), Oxygen saturation in
blood (SaO2), respiratory rate, Electromyogram (EMG), Electroencephalogram (EEG) and three axis movement of the
subject measured using an accelerometer[12].
IV.CHALLANGES
The conventional physiological monitoring system used in hospitals cannot be used for wearable physiological
monitoring applications due to the following reasons .
The conventional physiological monitoring systems are bulky to be used for wearable monitoring.
The gels used in the electrodes dry out when used over a period of time, which lead to increase in the contact
resistance and thereby degrading the signal quality.
The gels used in the electrodes cause irritations and rashes when used for longer durations.
.The sensors used in conventional monitoring systems are bulky and are not comfortable to wear for longer
durations[3].
To overcome the above problems associated with the conventional physiological monitoring there is a need to develop
sensors for wearable monitoring and integrate them into the fabric of wearer and continuously monitor the
physiological parameters.
V.WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY
A. Wearable monitoring system
Wearable physiological monitoring system
consists of an array of sensors embedded into the fabric of the wearer to continuously monitor the physiological
parameters and transmit wireless to a remote monitoring station. In the conventional wearable physiological monitoring
system, the sensors are integrated at specific locations on the vest and are interconnected to the wearable data
acquisition hardware by wires woven into the fabric.

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ISSN (Print) : 2320 3765

ISSN (Online): 2278 8875

International Journal of Advanced Research in Electrical, Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering

Vol. 2, Issue 5, May 2013

Fig1.Overall architecture of the wireless sensor network based wearable physiological monitoring system.

The drawback in sensor system is that the cables woven in the fabric pickup noise such as power line interference and
signals from nearby radiating sources and thereby corrupting the physiological signals. Also repositioning the sensors
in the fabric is difficult once integrated[8].Number of sensors integrated into the fabric form a network (Personal Area
Network) and interacts with the human system to acquire and transmit the physiological data to a wearable data
acquisition system.
B.Wearable antennas
The health parameters that may be transmitted wirelessly to remote stations (off body mode) in telemedicine systems.In
addition to off body applications, on body mode is also necessary for communication between sensors devices located
on or within the patient's body[6].Therefore a reliable low profile antenna is required for best performance. Various
types and design approaches of wearable antennas are being proposed including: Electro-textile, microstrip patches ,
buttons antennas, wearable MIMO systems, or hybrid systems based on one or more of such designs .wearable
antennas are required to be small size, lightweight, but robust at the same time[1]. They also have to be comfortable
and conformal to the body shape, yet they must maintain high performance in terms of reliability and efficiency.
Electro textile based antennas seem to be a low profile low profile solution for wearable application; however, they are
more prone to discontinuities in substrate material, fluids absorption, bending, twisting, and compression . Furthermore,
microstrip button antennas offer favorable characteristics such as lower profile construction, low cost, ease of
fabrication, capability of integration with clothing.
The wearable antenna for telemedicine has proven to be better option for patient monitoring. Such antenna with
specified parameter as can be simulated on antenna software such as CADFEKO, HFSS, CST Microwave studio , and
then fabricated. Depending on the comparative study of result the antenna can be fabricated for optimum result.In this
paper wearable yagi antenna for two different design is designed
VI.CIRCULAR YAGI PATCH ANTENNA
A. Design model
First proposed design for wearable antenna is circular yagi patch antenna.In this design the shape of substrate is
circular. Following fig 3.Shows the design model for circular patch yagi antenna.

Fig3 .Proposed yagi microstrip antenna

B.Antenna parameters
Following table gives the specification for antenna parameter
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ISSN (Print) : 2320 3765

ISSN (Online): 2278 8875

International Journal of Advanced Research in Electrical, Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering

Vol. 2, Issue 5, May 2013

Table 2 Antenna parameter specifications

Sr.no
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Parameter
Operating freq
Dielectric const
Substrate thickness
Substrate radius
Ground radius
Ground thickness
Driven element dimension
Director dimension
Reflector dimension
Extra coupling ele. Dime.

Value
2.45GHz
4.4
0.85mm
36mm
36mm
0.5mm
30mmX25mm
10mm X 5mm
10mmX5mm
25mmX5mm

C.RESULTS
The prosposed antenna on HFSS have given the results as follows
1. S11 return loss
Fig 4 shows the S11 plot for the proposed antenna which indicates that the antenna gives improved result as compared
to previous one.It gives -24dB return loss.
Ansoft
NameCorporation
X

XY Plot 1

m1
0.00

2.3153

-22.5668

m2

2.3193

-24.4359

HFSSDesign1
Curve Info
dB(St(Cylinder3_T1,Cylinder3_T1))
Setup1 : Sw eep1

dB(St(Cylinder3_T1,Cylinder3_T1))

-5.00

-10.00

-15.00

-20.00
m1
m2

-25.00
1.00

1.50

2.00
Freq [GHz]

2.50

3.00

Fig 4 VSWR plot

2. Gain
Fig 5 gives the antenna gain 2 dB which is less and that should be improved.

Fig.5.Gain

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3.Radiation pattern
Ansoft
NameCorporation
Theta

Ang

Radiation Pattern 1

Mag

m1

360.0000

-0.0000

1.0304

m2

170.0000

170.0000

-17.9316

m3

140.0000

140.0000

-32.3204

HFSSDesign1
Curve Info

0
-30

m1

dB(GainTotal)
Setup1 : Sw eep1
Phi='0deg'

30

-3.00

dB(GainTotal)
Setup1 : Sw eep1
Phi='10deg'

-11.00
-60

60

dB(GainTotal)
Setup1 : Sw eep1
Phi='20deg'

-19.00

dB(GainTotal)
Setup1 : Sw eep1
Phi='30deg'

-27.00

-90

dB(GainTotal)
Setup1 : Sw eep1
Phi='40deg'

90

m3

dB(GainTotal)
Setup1 : Sw eep1
Phi='50deg'
dB(GainTotal)
Setup1 : Sw eep1
Phi='60deg'

m2

-120

120

-150

dB(GainTotal)

150
-180

Fig.6 Radiation pattern

From the plot of radition pattern it is proven that as we get main lobe larger than back lobe ,the front radiation are
larger and low F/B ratio.
VII.RECTANGULAR PATCH ANTENNA
First proposed design for wearable antenna is circular yagi patch antenna.In this design the shape of substrate is
circular. Following fig 3. Shows the design model for circular patch yagi antenna
A. Design model

Fig7 Rectangular yagi patch antenna

B.S11 parameter
Fig 8shows the S11 plot for the proposed antenna. This plot indicates that the antenna gives improved result as
compared to previous one.It gives -24dB return loss.
Ansoft
NameCorporation
X

XY Plot 1

HFSSDesign1

dB(St(Cylinder3_T1,Cylinder3_T1))

m10.00 2.3153 -15.1612

Curve Info
dB(St(Cylinder3_T1,Cylinder3_T1))
Setup1 : Sweep1

-5.00

-10.00

m1

-15.00

-20.00

1.00

1.50

2.00
Freq [GHz]

2.50

3.00

Fig.8 S11 plot

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ISSN (Print) : 2320 3765

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International Journal of Advanced Research in Electrical, Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering

Vol. 2, Issue 5, May 2013

C.Radiation pattern
Radiation Pattern 5

Ansoft Corporation

HFSSDesign1
Curve Info

0
-30

rETotal
Setup1 : Sw eep1
Phi='0deg'

30
0.06

rETotal
Setup1 : Sw eep1
Phi='10deg'

0.05
-60

60

rETotal
Setup1 : Sw eep1
Phi='20deg'

0.03

rETotal
Setup1 : Sw eep1
Phi='30deg'

0.02

-90

90

rETotal
Setup1 : Sw eep1
Phi='40deg'
rETotal
Setup1 : Sw eep1
Phi='50deg'

-120

120

-150

rETotal
Setup1 : Sw eep1

150
-180

Fig 9 Radiation pattern

Fig.9 shows the plot of radiation pattern.In rectangular patch antenna we get side lobe radiation dominating
D.Gain

Fig 10. Gain

Fig 10 gives the antenna gain 7.8dB which is good

VIII. COMPARISON BETWEEN CIRCULAR AND RECTANGULAR DESIGN OF YAGI PATCH ANTENNA
Following table2 gives comparison of results of Rectangular and Circular patch antenna
Table2 Comparison of circular and Rectangular patch antenna

Sr. Parameter Circular yagi patch antenna

Rectangular yagi patch antenna
No.
1
Gain
2 dB
7.8dB
2
S11
-24dB
-15dB
3
VSWR
1.1
1.1
From simulation result of circular and rectangular yagi patch antenna it is clear that the performance parameter changes
as change in geometry.
IX.COMPARISON OF SIMULATION ON DIFFERENT SOFTWARE
Following table gives comparison of result on different software
Table 3 Comparison of simulation on different software
Sr.
No.
1
2
3

Parameter

CST

HFSS

CADFEKO

Gain
S11
VSWR

6dB
-24dB
1.1

9dB
-19dB
1.1

8dB
20dB
1.1

From above table it is clear that performance of antenna parameter vary with simulation software .HFSS gives the
improved results.
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ISSN (Print) : 2320 3765

ISSN (Online): 2278 8875

International Journal of Advanced Research in Electrical, Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering

Vol. 2, Issue 5, May 2013

X.CONCLUSION
In previous work same antenna was designed in CST MICROWAVE studio software but the result were not
satisfactory. Same design in HFSS gives improved result. With this design we get improved result of return loss ,F/B
ratio, but gain result is not satisfactory. Gain can be improved by changing some dimension.
For telemedicine wearable antenna is the best solution previous work has done with CST software , but this
antenna is proposed with HFSS software which has given the improved result and lower F/B ratio. Dielectric constant
used for this antenna is FR4 epoxy which is easily available in market. By changing the shape, dimension the
simulation will be performed and the result will be taken and with best result antenna will be fabricated.
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Singh et al, Int. J. Comp. Tech. Appl., Vol 2 (5), 1595-1599
[3] Hang Su, Battery-Dynamics Driven TDMA MAC Protocols for Wireless Body-Area Monitoring Networks in Healthcare Applications IEEE
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